LONDON — In its highly anticipated mid-year session, the Central Bank's monetary policy committee decided to keep benchmark borrowing rates unchanged at 5.25%.

The move aligns with analyst forecasts that expected the board to adopt a wait-and-see approach as the economy slowly digests past rate hikes. Inflation has cooled from its peak of 8.9% down to 2.4% over the last eighteen months, coming within striking distance of the bank's long-term 2.0% target.

Economic Stabilization Indicators * **Consumer Spending**: Retail activity showed a modest 0.2% increase, indicating stable but not overheated consumption. * **Labor Strength**: Unemployment holds steady at 3.8%, easing immediate concerns of a wage-spiral inflation cycle. * **Global Supply Chains**: Shipping costs have normalized, lifting pressure off core grocery and manufacturing prices.